Police beat

Pataskala: Officers make another meth arrest

The Pataskala Division of Police charged a third person within the last two weeks for possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

The most recent alleged offender was Tad Derenburger, 33, of Pataskala.

Derenburger was stopped for speeding at midnight May 28 on Broad Street.

Once he was outside the vehicle, officers noticed he had a cut straw behind his ear, according to the police report.

Police asked to search him and found a small plastic bag containing a substance resembling methamphetamine, the police report said.

The two previous arrests also occurred following a traffic stop.

Police charged Erica Pogash, 27, of Pataskala, and David Phillips, 31, of Thornville, with fifth-degree felony counts of possession of drugs after a traffic stop at 11:27 p.m. May 25 on Broad Street at Park Avenue.

The two were found with a plastic bag of methamphetamine in the vehicle, the police report said.

In other recent incident reports from the Pataskala Division of Police:

* Officers seized marijuana plants from a basement in the 500 block of Stable Street at 10:06 a.m. June 1 after responding to a residential alarm at the home.

Sgt. Andy Waugh said police responded to the alarm and entered the home through an unlocked door. In their search, they found the plants growing in the basement, Waugh said.

He said he could not disclose the amount of plants and growing materials seized. He said the incident is under investigation.

The police report said the manufacture of or cultivation of drugs occurred between April 1 and May 31.

* Police are investigating the theft of a cellphone between 8 a.m. and noon May 27 from a bench in Licking Heights High School, 4000 Mink St.

A student reported the phone missing, saying it was left behind on a bench.

After reviewing surveillance video from the school, police have identified a suspect and charges are pending, the police report said.

* Police are investigating two thefts from vehicles.

A resident reported an ADA placard was taken between midnight May 26 and 4:43 p.m. May 27 from a vehicle parked in the 300 block of Ronald Drive.

A resident reported a cellphone charger and an identification badge were taken between midnight May 26 and 8 a.m. May 27 from a vehicle parked in the 300 block of Robert Drive.